Last edited by JamesKim on Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:45 am; edited 1 time in total

Wed May 07, 2008 10:57 pm

pf101Senior Member

Cash: $ 62.25

Posts: 311
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Location: Portland, OR

Re: Absurd Transaction

are you joking?

this is a standard scam. they buy an item, send you a fake payment that's over the amount of the item and ask you to send the balance to their 'friend' then you're out the item and the amount of the payment.

cash baby.

cash is king.

ETA - at the top of the CL screen they have in BOLD CAPS a link to a page on just how to avoid these kinds of scams. I HIGHLY recommend you read it before you conduct any more business.

Sorry, Jim, this sounds very much like a well-known scam, called by various names such as the "Nigerian scam" the "419 scam" and others. They all involved getting the target to wire money out of the country. When it involves the purchase of goods, they overpay for the goods and then have the target wire the difference, or some other story. They have no intention of taking delivery of merchandise they've overpaid for, because the check they issued will bounce, and the target is liable to his US bank for the worthless check. You were wise to reject any further business dealings, but chances are you'll be out any money you already sent, and/or the money credited to your account for any check they used to pay. That's real money in your account, now, and it'll also be real money the bank takes out when the check bounces, so I'd advise not spending any of it.

Oh, and, hey, don't beat yourself up too much. Learning always has a price and just consider this one of many lessons you'll be learning on your road to being a successful entrepreneur. Hopefully the rest don't cost this much.

~Tim~

Wed May 07, 2008 11:53 pm

JamesKimSenior Member

Cash: $ 46.35

Posts: 216
Joined: 26 Sep 2007

.x

Last edited by JamesKim on Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:46 am; edited 1 time in total

Thu May 08, 2008 2:47 am

JamesKimSenior Member

Cash: $ 46.35

Posts: 216
Joined: 26 Sep 2007

Someone pleaseee help me omgg...

Thu May 08, 2008 2:53 am

JamesKimSenior Member

Cash: $ 46.35

Posts: 216
Joined: 26 Sep 2007

.x

Last edited by JamesKim on Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:47 am; edited 1 time in total

Thu May 08, 2008 2:58 am

coasterSenior Advisor

Cash: $ 1626.30

Posts: 7990
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin

You're not listening, Jim. Whatever you wired is gone. It's in Nigeria. The check you received is worthless. You can file suit in Nigerian, court, I believe. It's against their law. I'm sorry. There's an old saying, "if it sounds too good to be true....." The size of the buyer's offer versus what you were asking for the guitar should have been your first clue.

Another thing......the bank where you deposited the check can have you arrested and prosecuted for depositing a fraudulent check. No matter that you're the victim. That's the way the banking laws are written. You may want to google Bank of America and Matthew Shinnick. Heck, I did it for you:

If you're banking with a large, national or major regional bank, you might want to consult an attorney before approaching the bank. Or at the very least, feel your way carefully. So you don't end up like this poor guy did. Just make sure there's enough in your account to cover whatever you deposited.

Sorry, that's about the best advice I can give.

~Tim~

Thu May 08, 2008 4:02 am

pf101Senior Member

Cash: $ 62.25

Posts: 311
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Location: Portland, OR

quote:Originally posted by JamesKimi got the check for $3,650 and deposited $549.00. Leaves me with $3,101. and then he told me to take $50 more. $3,051. Then he told me to transfer $3,051 to this person through western union, which i did. Now what... help me please

Did you read anything we posted? You are out $3650+ all of the fees you're going to get from your bank. I hope you didn't mail the guitar otherwise you're out the value of that as well.

You, my friend, just learned a very expensive lesson. Hopefully it'll just cost you money, not freedom (like Coaster posted).

Next time, READ the warnings that are on EVERY SINGLE SCREEN in the for sale area on Craigslist about this very thing. In bright red text highlighted in yellow on the top of ever page is this: "Avoid scams and fraud by dealing locally! Beware any deal involving Western Union, Moneygram, wire transfer, cashier check, money order, shipping, escrow, or any promise of transaction protection/certification/guarantee"

Last edited by JamesKim on Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:48 am; edited 1 time in total

Thu May 08, 2008 5:26 am

coasterSenior Advisor

Cash: $ 1626.30

Posts: 7990
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin

Well, it's pretty confusing what's happening here. It's a good thing you got your counsel involved. But I don't know what can actually be done about money already wired overseas where US law doesn't hold. I don't think you should assume that the story is over yet, and it would be wise to have your counsel in on any negotiations you have with these people. Please keep us updated.

~Tim~

Thu May 08, 2008 1:18 pm

JamesKimSenior Member

Cash: $ 46.35

Posts: 216
Joined: 26 Sep 2007

.x

Last edited by JamesKim on Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:48 am; edited 1 time in total

Thu May 08, 2008 10:25 pm

coasterSenior Advisor

Cash: $ 1626.30

Posts: 7990
Joined: 11 Oct 2005
Location: Wisconsin

Well, it still has to play out -- but it sounds hopeful the way you describe it, and maybe your fast footwork will keep you from losing the whole thing. But the end of the story has yet to be written -- you're dependent on other people who said they did this and said they'll do that -- so please keep us updated. It's sure a hair-raiser, and I'm glad I'm not in your shoes.

~Tim~

Fri May 09, 2008 1:27 am

pf101Senior Member

Cash: $ 62.25

Posts: 311
Joined: 12 Sep 2007
Location: Portland, OR

Not to be negative, but I think that this is all wishful thinking until the money is in your hands. The FBI, bank and every law enforcement agency in the country can do zippy once the money is out of the country.